Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a female Beardie who is about 5 months old. I kept her in a 10 gallon aquarium up until 2 0r 3 weeks ago. I moved her into a custome built cage that is about 4 ft by 2.5ft by 1.5 ft. I also do not feed her as many crickets as before. Now that she is living in the new cage she has been really mean. She bows up and flattens out everytime I put my hand anywhere near her. She also has not pooped but like two very tiny bits since she is in the new cage. I was wondering if any one could help me maybe find out what is wrong with her

If I was constipated for two weeks I would be mad and hissing at you (or anyone else) too! LOL. What do you have for substrate in the new enclosure and where are you feeding her, in the cage or transporting her to another cage? It MIGHT (this is only a thought) be that she is feeling more threatened by the larger enclosure too.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

How big is the dragon?

Being moved into a new larger cage can be just as shocking to the dragon as the first day you brought her home. I would feed her as many crickets or other in sects as she can eat in 5-10 minutes once a day, with fresh mixed greens/veggies offered daily as well. She is still very young and will need her insects to continue going. Only really cut back on insects after they are 12 months old, then you only need to feed insects 2-3 times a week.

Double check the basking temps to make sure they are correct. Give her some warm soaks to help aleviate her constipation. Offer pureed carrots, summer squash or sweet pototoe, as th is does help with constipation as well. A small amount of mineral oil can help (no more than a quarter teaspoon or less, offered once a day for a day or two, no more). If she doesn't go in a couple more days, I would take her to a vet to check for impaction. Two weeks is a long way to go without, well, going.
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PHLdyPayne

I really think that she might be threatened by the larger cage. I can sit on the floor in front of her and touch the glass and she does not have a problem with that but when I stand up and reach in to grab her she gets upset. I have a mixture of play sand and calcium sand as the substrate.(about 90% play sand). Yesterday I also piled some of the sand up and put the basking limb on top of the pile so she could be closer to the basking light and I adjusted the angle of the lamp. I built a shelf into the wall of the cage to feed her on but she would never eat on it so I feed her in a dish in front of the shelf. I feed crickets twice a day with a variety of veggies. I feed small crickets from petsmart. Yesterday afternoon after piling the sand and getting her basking closer to the lamp she had went a little but still not the same amount as before but it was solid. I have tried the warm sokings but I am afraid of stressing her too much.

Sorry forgot to mention. She is about 10 in. to a foot long.

I would take her off the sand, ecspecially if there are concerns about impaction already. I agree that a vet visit is probably best. The pureed veggies is a good idea too, it will help her go if she is just constipated. There is an adjustment period when making drastic changed to a lizards enviorment. It took Tequila a few weeks to adjust to her new cage, and she cut down on eating. However constipation, or impaction will cause this too. They simply don't feel good, and have no room for food in their stomach. I would keep up with the crix, and also offer her salad. If you have any other questions please post and I will do my best to answer them, or someone else might be able to help. Good Luck.
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7 Leos
Milo(my adult male) Mongo, Raptor,and Spaz
Popeye and Boo(named after Monster's Inc. Character)sex unknown, but I am pretty sure they are females.
Pumpkin the Patternless (he's a boy too.)

1 Female Sandfire X Blood Aboriginie Red Bearded Dragon. Tequila Sunrise, Tequila for short

1 dog
Baby (Peekapoo)

2 Cats
Mr. Kitty and Shelly (my adopted senior citizen. She's 14!)

I lost my baby blizzard before I even picked out a name. May he/she Rest in Peace

I have been feeding her baby food from the jar since I've had her. I sometimes mix in fresh veggies from the garden. I also have tried bearded dragon diet recently but she didnt take to it. I wonder if I could take some length off of the legs I have the cage on and Maybe I would not be as intimidating when I stand over the cage. She poops but not as much as before. I was under the impression that impaction or constipation made no poop. Are the warm soakings ok even if she doesnt like it. I also think she is not quite accustomed to the new cage yet it has only been a few weeks ( going on about 3).

okay, first off is there a reason you are feeding her baby food? Second, if she is pooping a little I think she is probably just constipated, but I am far from an expert. It still could be impaction, or something else all together. I can't really help that much on that part of it. I can however give some help on the behavioural part. You will be itimidating to her no matter what when you are standing over her, at least for now. You are much bigger than she is, and it is instict for her to take a defensive posture. She is okay when you are sitting in front of the cage, because you do not appear as large. Tequila did and still does the same thing sometimes, if I move too fast. I believe you said that you have had her for a while, has she always been like this or has she just started this behaviour? I will be happy to give you aome hints on developing a trust bond with her if you need it, let me know.
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7 Leos
Milo(my adult male) Mongo, Raptor,and Spaz
Popeye and Boo(named after Monster's Inc. Character)sex unknown, but I am pretty sure they are females.
Pumpkin the Patternless (he's a boy too.)

1 Female Sandfire X Blood Aboriginie Red Bearded Dragon. Tequila Sunrise, Tequila for short

1 dog
Baby (Peekapoo)

2 Cats
Mr. Kitty and Shelly (my adopted senior citizen. She's 14!)

I lost my baby blizzard before I even picked out a name. May he/she Rest in Peace

The baby food already comes chopped and pureed, I read that somewhere that this person was have good success with it. I have had her about 4 months. I would like whatever kind of behavoiral hints you have. thanks

Okay here it goes. It is important for you to build a bond of trust with her, there is a couple of things you can do to accomplish this. First off move slowly,let her get used to you hand being in her tank. Just put it in a couple of times a day, and not to close to where she is at first. If she is at one side, put your hand in the opposite side. Let your hand rest on the bottom of the tank. Do this for about a week. Then you can start progressivly moving you hand closer to her, every couple of days move a little closer. Once she gets used to that you can start offering her food from your hand, greens veggies, so forth. This phase will obviously have to wait until she is willing to eat again. I would try this anyway, it might stimulate her to eat, but not until she is comfertable with you. If you try it and she is not it might put her off even more. Taking it slow again jsut let her get used to you holding the food, don't push it in her face or anything. She will let you know if she's interested. This is a good way to let her know that your hand being in her tank means good things. If she gets a treat everytime, she will be more comfertable. These tricks worked with Tequila, but it took time. I hope this helps. Feel free to ask anything else you want to know. I did want to suggest something further though, you might want to try her on regular veggies and greens. I am not sure that mainly baby food is good for Beardies. I have never heard of it being used a main diet, it is usally used for sick animals. Has she had diarrea at all, before I mean. I would think that all the pureed food would cause her to have loose stools. Also the babyfood is cooked, and veggies lose some of thier nutrients when cooked.
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7 Leos
Milo(my adult male) Mongo, Raptor,and Spaz
Popeye and Boo(named after Monster's Inc. Character)sex unknown, but I am pretty sure they are females.
Pumpkin the Patternless (he's a boy too.)

1 Female Sandfire X Blood Aboriginie Red Bearded Dragon. Tequila Sunrise, Tequila for short

1 dog
Baby (Peekapoo)

2 Cats
Mr. Kitty and Shelly (my adopted senior citizen. She's 14!)

I lost my baby blizzard before I even picked out a name. May he/she Rest in Peace

NOw that you mention it she has had some pretty loose stools in the past, But I use a mixture of baby food and fresh veggies. She will eat out of my hand now but when I try to pick her up is when she gets upset. The diet thing is slowly getting better. I have increased the amount of crix per day from one feeding of crix back up to two and she is pooping more but still not like normal.

That is some good news about the diet getting better, but if I were you I would just cut out the baby food althogether. It is your choice though. As far as the handeling of her, I still havn't really gotten it down with Tequila. She will axept being held when she wants to, otherwise she totally freaks out. Ecspecially after her bath. This like everything else will take time, and patience. I have found it easir to let her decide whether or not to come out. I just sit in front of the door and she usually makes it very clear if she wants to come out. I had trouble with that approach though, when she was in a open topped tank. If she will just let her come to your hand, just lay it as flat as you can, palm side up. Once she will get on to it, if she will, let her get used to that before trying to lift her. Then start lifting her a bit higher each time. It is also important that you support her body correctly. There are caresheets on the matter. Or you can ask on here, what the best way to hold her would be. Hope this helps.
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7 Leos
Milo(my adult male) Mongo, Raptor,and Spaz
Popeye and Boo(named after Monster's Inc. Character)sex unknown, but I am pretty sure they are females.
Pumpkin the Patternless (he's a boy too.)

1 Female Sandfire X Blood Aboriginie Red Bearded Dragon. Tequila Sunrise, Tequila for short

1 dog
Baby (Peekapoo)

2 Cats
Mr. Kitty and Shelly (my adopted senior citizen. She's 14!)

I lost my baby blizzard before I even picked out a name. May he/she Rest in Peace

Thanks for all your help. I'll keep you posted with what happens.

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7 Leos
Milo(my adult male) Mongo, Raptor,and Spaz
Popeye and Boo(named after Monster's Inc. Character)sex unknown, but I am pretty sure they are females.
Pumpkin the Patternless (he's a boy too.)

1 Female Sandfire X Blood Aboriginie Red Bearded Dragon. Tequila Sunrise, Tequila for short

1 dog
Baby (Peekapoo)

2 Cats
Mr. Kitty and Shelly (my adopted senior citizen. She's 14!)

I lost my baby blizzard before I even picked out a name. May he/she Rest in Peace